RIP, Tony “Offender” Johnson

In the early-to-mid-1980s, Austin was lousy with punk bands, but the most intense of the lot was unquestionably the Offenders. With J.J. on vocals, Tony on guitar, Mikey on bass and Pat on drums, they were such a whirling menace of aggro-brotherhood that everybody gave them the last name of their band. They were dangerous and when they took the stage it was for one purpose only- to kick your fucking ass. If you showed up at one of their gigs to see and be seen, the Offenders exposed you, as you clung to the back wall. Tony Offender’s guitar was like a gush of water- three feet high and rising. “Mommy!”

Tony Johnson, who passed away Saturday after a 20-month battle with lung cancer, looked like a metal guitarist with his long, stringy hair, but he could thrash out hardcore punk rock like none other. He didn’t just play fast, but ferocious, throwing in all sorts of sonic mayhem, like Ron Asheton of the Stooges. Friends told me Tony was a gentle soul offstage, but I had to take their word for it. He scared the shit out of me.”…

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